Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:34 p.m.

Football player Brandon Jacobs will ride as a special guest during the Krewe of Hercules parade in Houma on Feb. 1.

The Associated Press

When Hercules rolls through the streets of Houma on Feb. 1, revelers will get a chance to experience both.

S.P. LaRussa, parade captain and founding member of Hercules, said NFL player and Napoleonville native Brandon Jacobs will ride through the parade as a special guest. The parade will follow the traditional west Houma route and will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 1.

Jacobs, a running back, is a eighth-year NFL veteran who has spent time with the New York Giants (2005-11) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).

He was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams with the Giants.

LaRussa said Jacobs, who is a free agent, will have a big role during the parade.

"He'll be riding the floats, throwing footballs and signing autographs," LaRussa said. "He's been trying to come down for years. We've been trying to get him. It just so happen he had a break right now. That's why we are fortunate enough to get him."

The parade will also feature former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards as its grand marshal.

LaRussa said Hercules is going all out to entertain its loyal revelers with a famous local football player in Jacobs and a former governor in Edwards riding this year.

"It's an honor to have Brandon because the public is going to relate to it," LaRussa said. "With our grand marshal in Edwin Edwards, we are going to bring a lot of people out to the parades. We're just giving them the double treat."

Jacobs, who was born in Houma but raised in Napoleonville, said he is excited to come back home and take part in the parade.

"The Krewe of Hercules parade was one that we attended a lot when I was growing up," Jacobs said. "It's always been a good parade with a lot of people there. You always expected a lot and got a lot from that parade. I'm honored to be able to go back and be a part of it."

Jacobs, who prepped at Assumption and played collegiate ball at Coffeyville Community College, Auburn and Southern Illinois, said he is no stranger to riding in parades. He has participated in homecoming parades in high school and college, and he rode through the streets of New York to celebrate the Giants' two Super Bowl championships.

The 6-foot-4, 264-pound Jacobs knows how serious Mardi Gras is, so he said he will be prepared for the ride.

"I haven't practiced my throwing as of yet," Jacobs said. "I'm probably going to get started next week."

With the Hercules parade rolling two days before Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, Jacobs said it should be fun time for locals who love both football and Mardi Gras season.

"It's pretty cool that this is happening the same weekend that the Super Bowl is in New Orleans," Jacobs said. "It gives the fans a chance to experience something different. I know that it is not the Saints in the Super Bowl, but it's still the Super Bowl in New Orleans. It's great for the entire state and will bring a lot of revenue for the city and give the state of Louisiana a financial boost."

This year's Super Bowl, which will be held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3, will feature the San Francisco 49ers versus the Baltimore Ravens.

Jacobs signed with the 49ers before the season, but he was hampered by a knee injury and played in only two games this season, finishing with five carries for seven yards. Jacobs' tough season ended when he was suspended for the final three games of the season by the 49ers and was waived on Dec. 31. The official reason for Jacobs' suspension was unclear.

Despite the frustrating season, Jacobs said he holds no resentment toward the 49ers organization and players.

"There is no disappointment," Jacobs said. "I have respect for the team. I'm happy for the players. (San Francisco owner) Jed York has done a good job of putting the team together. I wish them the best."

The 30-year-old Jacobs, who has rushed for 4,856 career yards and 56 touchdowns, said he doesn't plan to hang up his football cleats yet. He hopes to continue his NFL career next season.

"I just want to go out and play and help my team win," Jacobs said. "I've got at least two years left in me personally. I'm going to go out and do what I got to do. I'm not ready to retire. I was born with a purpose and that's to play football. I haven't lost my passion or love for that yet."

Jacobs added that he has no preferences in a future team and wants to find a place where he will be able to contribute.

"I'm ready to ball," he said. "Whoever is going to let me do that, that's who I'm going to."

<p>The Krewe of Hercules knows how important Mardi Gras and football is in south Louisiana. </p><p>When Hercules rolls through the streets of Houma on Feb. 1, revelers will get a chance to experience both.</p><p>S.P. LaRussa, parade captain and founding member of Hercules, said NFL player and Napoleonville native Brandon Jacobs will ride through the parade as a special guest. The parade will follow the traditional west Houma route and will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 1. </p><p>Jacobs, a running back, is a eighth-year NFL veteran who has spent time with the New York Giants (2005-11) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).</p><p>He was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams with the Giants. </p><p>LaRussa said Jacobs, who is a free agent, will have a big role during the parade. </p><p>"He'll be riding the floats, throwing footballs and signing autographs," LaRussa said. "He's been trying to come down for years. We've been trying to get him. It just so happen he had a break right now. That's why we are fortunate enough to get him."</p><p>The parade will also feature former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards as its grand marshal. </p><p>LaRussa said Hercules is going all out to entertain its loyal revelers with a famous local football player in Jacobs and a former governor in Edwards riding this year. </p><p>"It's an honor to have Brandon because the public is going to relate to it," LaRussa said. "With our grand marshal in Edwin Edwards, we are going to bring a lot of people out to the parades. We're just giving them the double treat."</p><p>Jacobs, who was born in Houma but raised in Napoleonville, said he is excited to come back home and take part in the parade. </p><p>"The Krewe of Hercules parade was one that we attended a lot when I was growing up," Jacobs said. "It's always been a good parade with a lot of people there. You always expected a lot and got a lot from that parade. I'm honored to be able to go back and be a part of it."</p><p>Jacobs, who prepped at Assumption and played collegiate ball at Coffeyville Community College, Auburn and Southern Illinois, said he is no stranger to riding in parades. He has participated in homecoming parades in high school and college, and he rode through the streets of New York to celebrate the Giants' two Super Bowl championships.</p><p>The 6-foot-4, 264-pound Jacobs knows how serious Mardi Gras is, so he said he will be prepared for the ride. </p><p>"I haven't practiced my throwing as of yet," Jacobs said. "I'm probably going to get started next week."</p><p>With the Hercules parade rolling two days before Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, Jacobs said it should be fun time for locals who love both football and Mardi Gras season. </p><p>"It's pretty cool that this is happening the same weekend that the Super Bowl is in New Orleans," Jacobs said. "It gives the fans a chance to experience something different. I know that it is not the Saints in the Super Bowl, but it's still the Super Bowl in New Orleans. It's great for the entire state and will bring a lot of revenue for the city and give the state of Louisiana a financial boost."</p><p>This year's Super Bowl, which will be held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3, will feature the San Francisco 49ers versus the Baltimore Ravens.</p><p>Jacobs signed with the 49ers before the season, but he was hampered by a knee injury and played in only two games this season, finishing with five carries for seven yards. Jacobs' tough season ended when he was suspended for the final three games of the season by the 49ers and was waived on Dec. 31. The official reason for Jacobs' suspension was unclear.</p><p>Despite the frustrating season, Jacobs said he holds no resentment toward the 49ers organization and players. </p><p>"There is no disappointment," Jacobs said. "I have respect for the team. I'm happy for the players. (San Francisco owner) Jed York has done a good job of putting the team together. I wish them the best."</p><p>The 30-year-old Jacobs, who has rushed for 4,856 career yards and 56 touchdowns, said he doesn't plan to hang up his football cleats yet. He hopes to continue his NFL career next season.</p><p>"I just want to go out and play and help my team win," Jacobs said. "I've got at least two years left in me personally. I'm going to go out and do what I got to do. I'm not ready to retire. I was born with a purpose and that's to play football. I haven't lost my passion or love for that yet."</p><p>Jacobs added that he has no preferences in a future team and wants to find a place where he will be able to contribute. </p><p>"I'm ready to ball," he said. "Whoever is going to let me do that, that's who I'm going to."</p><p>Sports editor Brent St. Germain contributed to this article.</p>